Citrine and the 3 stages of Scorpio

THE NOVEMBER BIRTHSTONE

Natural Citrine

Emphasis on natural. Heat-treated Amethyst is still Amethyst: the colour centres come from Iron replacing the Silicate in the crystal lattice. Versus real Citrine which gains its trademark yellow from Aluminum-based and Irradiation-based colour centres. Gemmology nerd-ing aside, Citrine is the birthstone for November and for Scorpios, but also it is the world renowned stone of wealth, abundance and confidence.

If you haven’t read my last post on the subjective experience of a Scorpio Rising then it’s best to start here.

In November, we arrive into the heart of the foggy fall, the misted mirrors and the thin veil of the astrologically-speaking “time for introspection”, also known as Scorpio Season.

The golden honey glow of Citrine is like that piercing Sun of transparency to bring confidence and conviction to the equally ambitious yet hidden motives of the secretive Scorpio.

ATTRIBUTES OF CITRINE

Types and history

Citrine is a yellow variety of Quartz which is commonly found in prismatic crystal habits (the long singular point) as opposed to the commonly found Amethyst, growing often times in grossular or drusy forms.

Citrine types are described by the variation in their colour, but some specific habits such as the “Kundalini Citrine Cathedral” natural shape (in my photo above) are often referred to as their own category in the gem-retail world.

• Golden Citrine: The most common type with a bright golden-yellow colour. It’s the most popular on the market too.

• Lemon Citrine: When fully transparent and not opaque like “Lemon Quartz”, this gem quality Citrine exhibits a lighter, lemony yellow shade.

• Madeira Citrine: Their colour display ranges from golden yellow to reddish-brown. The deep(est) reddish-orange hues are the ones referred to as Madeira. 

• Palmeira Citrine: Named after a specific locality in Brazil, these Citrines are a bright orange colour.

• Fire Citrine: A rare type that showcases a deep red-orange hue, commonly enhanced through heat-treatment.

• Heat-treated Citrine: Amethyst that is heated to produce a yellow or orange colour. In some cases, the crystals turn green which is referred to as Prasiolite or Green Quartz.

• Natural Citrine: This type has a subtle, smoky yellow appearance.

Citrine has been greatly appreciated since ancient times, especially by the Greeks who valued it as a decorative gem and by the Romans who knew about its metaphysical virtues. As of 1385, Citrine was the name given to all yellow coloured gems, until it was properly distinguished from Imperial Topaz and other similar coloured stones.

Also known as the 'Merchant Stone’ , Citrine has always been associated with incredible wealth and abundance.

Geology brief on Citrine

Amethyst and Smoky Quartz crystals may be heat treated to resemble Citrine, as it is quite rare in its natural form.

Some natural Citrine deposits include Uruguay, Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Madagascar, Zambia, Russia, Spain and Mexico — with the Congo being the leading locality where natural Kundalini Citrine Cathedrals are found.

THE THREE STAGES

Scorpios explained

Not all Scorpios are the same.

The one most of you have in mind is the Traditional Scorpio, illustrated by the sting and revenge ridden archetype of the Scorpion, and born between October 23rd and November 2nd.

Those belong to the 1st decan of the sign, from degrees 0-9, and are ruled by Pluto and Mars. Having the rulership of two malefic celestial bodies, also being the traditional planets associated with Scorpio, these natives will go through the deep experience of the highs and lows of life. They are described as individuals who ooze intensity, and by proxy may suffer through the many griefs of an ever changing self, the passion of an insatiable urge to connect with the rejection mirrored by their lover’s shadows and the suspicion that comes with constantly investigating other’s true motives.

As the decans progress, the Scorpio natives transform — which brings us to phase two: the Evolved Scorpio.

This one is characterized by the Eagle archetype, or the first rebirth (see the Rebirth of the Eagle Story). These natives are of the 2nd decan of the sign, from degrees 10-19, and are born between November 3rd and November 12th. They are ruled by Pisces and therefore Neptune, making their dark essence idealistic and dreamy. They become so enthralled with the unseen realms of emotional intentions that they early on develop a strong sense of uncanny intuition. They are seekers of the authentic essence of truth when it comes to the power of seduction, making them quite possessive and obsessed with romance.

The metaphysical properties of Citrine (soon to be featured in its own edition of “Know Your Crystals” Magazine) come in handy when ascending to this next and last phase of Scorpio.

Citrine is one of the top Solar Plexus Chakra stones, bringing it back into alignment if it becomes underractive or overractive. This center is also responsible for the vice of insecurity and control.

• It awakens and stimulates the willpower center.

• It's the go-to manifestation stone that enables the process of transformation of your thoughts and dreams into your physical reality.

• It increases wealth and attracts better career opportunities.

• It encourages smart investments and opens the channel of abundance coming your way.

And most importantly, it fortifies the ability to have confidence and trust in yourself, which allows to release control and paranoid insecurities.

In the 3rd decan of Scorpio, from 20-29 degrees of the sign, these natives born between November 13th and November 21st, are ruled by the Cancer Zodiac and by the Moon. This gives them a huge protective quality and makes them the most cryptic out of all Scorpios. Citrine will benefit these natives the most. As their archetype is represented by the Phoenix, they will experience the deepest transformation of all — that of the subconscious mind and emotional body. They intuitively are guided to complete a fulfilling rebirth from the ashes to properly alchemize all of the manipulative and immature emotional tendencies they may have in their arsenal of sometimes wounded reactions. This takes trust and the ability to be centered whilst shedding the parts we generally identify with the most: our vulnerabilities. This position of Scorpio craves undying love and intimacy, but needs to learn how to break down the fortress guarding their heart first.

This powerful and profoundly magnetic sign will stop at nothing to relish in the depths of the Souls its path crosses — which is scary on the receiving end, I’ll admit. But to them, it is the most gentle thing they can do for you: see you.

I’ll leave you at that, no further promotions or promises. Sometimes that’s enough.

Scorpio placements see it all. They do make for the best psychologists, detectives, intuitives, readers and analysts of all kinds.

Who sees you truly,

Evelina Bujor

FAQs

Q: What other stones can be mistaken as Citrine?

A: Pretty much any yellow-orange stone with a vitreous brilliance (especially in faceted gems, where the natural termination is cut away) such as Imperial Topaz, Yellow Tourmaline, Yellow Sapphire and Yellow Glass.